Intercoupled piping assembly

ABSTRACT

An intercoupled piping assembly comprising a first elongated pipe; a second elongated pipe; a coupler for coupling the first elongated pipe to the second elongated pipe and a securing assembly comprising an elongated member that extends through an aperture in the first elongated pipe, through an aperture in the coupler and through an aperture in the second elongated pipe and a securing member for ensuring the first elongated pipe, the second elongated pipe and the coupler remain coupled together by at least in part the elongated member, whereby the first and second elongated pipes are intercoupleable via the coupler and are resisted from shifting from their orthogonal alignment due to their respective coupling to the coupler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to piping assemblies, and inparticular, to an improved intercoupling piping assembly for use in atubular building constructions that reduces “racking,” which may occurunder certain conditions, such as but not limited to, during high windconditions. In a particular embodiment, although not limited thereto,the present invention is highly advantageous in tubular buildingconstructions that are fabric covered, where lightweight design and theelements, such as wind conditions, must be factored into theconstruction and projected durability of the final structure.

Recently, single pipe metal tubular building with fabric covering havebecome very desirable both here in the U.S. and abroad. However, one ofthe problems encountered by these structures is their tendency to“rack,” whereby the tubes to move out of their 90° orientation with eachother, causing the tendency of the structure to lean. High winds are oneof the most common causes of this “racking” problem.

Specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, an exemplary conventionalsingle pipe tubular building/structure generally comprises round tubularpiping held together with nuts and bolts, with many of the piping pairs(e.g. crossing pipes) being at a 90° angle relative to each other.However, due to among other things, the lack of surface area between thetwo pieces of pipe, the piping (or more particularly, the relativeangles of the piping with respect to each other) can easily be twistedout of place.

As alluded to above, this problem occurs most frequently due to windconditions that act upon the constructed structure. Surely otherconditions may also play apart in causing this “racking” problem, suchas the sheer weight of the structure, but the problems that cause this“racking” are not material to the present invention. What is material tothe present invention is a construction, arrangement and method toreduce and/or eliminate the “racking.”

Thus, it is believed that further advances in the art are desirable. Forexample, it would be desirable and advantageous to design a device andprovide an arrangement (and method of construction) that reduces and/oreliminates the aforementioned “racking.” In addition, it would bedesirable and advantageous to provide a tubular structure that providesfor an increased snow load. And, it is believed that the presentinvention overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies and achieves theaforementioned and below mentioned objectives.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is thus an objective of the present invention to overcome theperceived deficiencies in the prior art.

For example, it is an objective of the present invention to provide animproved intercoupled piping assembly that reduces and/or eliminates“racking.”

In one particular objective, it is desirable to provide an intercoupledpiping assembly that reduces and/or eliminates “racking” during windconditions. It is another objective to provide such an intercoupledpiping assembly for use in a tubular building structure that is fabriccovered, although this is by example and not limitation as those skilledin the art would appreciate that the present invention is not limitedthereto.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide atubular structure that provides for an increased snow load.

It is yet another objective to provide a method of constructing atubular structure that utilizes the intercoupling piping assemblydisclosed herein.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide animproved intercoupled piping assembly that allows for relatively quickassembly and disassembly, while at the same time, achieving the otherobjectives set forth herein.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an improvedintercoupled piping assembly that is both easy to utilize andmanufacture and also that achieves all of the advantages and objectivesset forth herein.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become moreapparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, arrangement of parts and sequence of stepswhich will be exemplified in the construction, illustration anddescription hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention willbe indicated in the claims.

To overcome the perceived deficiencies in the prior art and to achievethe objects and advantages set forth above and below, the presentinvention is, generally speaking, directed to an intercoupled pipingassembly. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly preferably comprises afirst elongated pipe having an aperture extending therethrough from afirst side surface to an opposite side surface in a direction orthogonalto its direction of elongation; a second elongated pipe having anaperture extending therethrough from a first side surface to an oppositeside surface in a direction orthogonal to its direction of elongation; acoupler for coupling the first elongated pipe to the second elongatedpipe, wherein the coupler comprises a first recess for receiving aportion of the first elongated pipe, a second recess orthogonallyoriented relative to the first recess for receiving a portion of thesecond elongated pipe, wherein when the first elongated pipe ispositioned in the first recess and the second elongated pipe ispositioned in the second recess, the first elongated pipe isorthogonally positioned relative to the second elongated pipe, and anaperture that extends through a rear surface of the first recess to arear surface of the second recess; and a securing assembly comprising anelongated member that extends through the aperture in the firstelongated pipe, through the aperture in the coupler and through theaperture in the second elongated pipe; and a securing member forensuring the first elongated pipe, the second elongated pipe and thecoupler remain coupled together by at least in part the elongatedmember; whereby the first and second elongated pipes are intercoupleablevia the coupler and are resisted from shifting from their orthogonalalignment due to their respective coupling to the coupler.

Also provided herein is a preferred tubular building structurecomprising a plurality of elongated pipes coupled together to form acoverable structure; wherein at least two of the elongated pipes formpart of an intercoupled piping assembly as set forth above.

Still further, a preferred method of constructing an intercoupled pipingassembly is provided. In such a preferred embodiment, the methodcomprises the steps of positioning a portion of the first elongated pipein the first recess and positioning a portion of the

second elongated pipe in the second recess such that the first elongatedpipe is orthogonally positioned relative to the second elongated pipe;extending the elongated member through the aperture in the firstelongated pipe, through the aperture in the coupler and through theaperture in the second elongated pipe; and securing the securing memberto an end of the elongated member to couple together the first elongatedpipe, the second elongated pipe and the coupler; whereby the first andsecond elongated pipes are intercoupleable via the coupler and areresisted from shifting from their orthogonal alignment due to theirrespective coupling to the coupler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above set forth and other features of the invention are made moreapparent in the ensuing Description of the Preferred Embodiments whenread in conjunction with the attached Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an simplified cross-sectional view of an intercoupled pipingassembly constructed in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an intercoupled piping assemblyconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the intercoupled piping assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a coupler, constructed inaccordance with the present invention, for use in the intercoupledpiping assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exemplary tubular structure that utilizes one or more ofthe intercoupled piping assemblies constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

Identical reference numerals in the figures are intended to indicatelike parts, although not every feature in every figure may be called outwith a reference numeral.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows an intercoupled piping assemblyconstructed in accordance with the prior art. As illustrated therein, atypical single pipe tubular building/structure constructed in accordancewith the prior art generally comprises a first (e.g. horizontallyoriented) pipe 110 in contact with a second (e.g. vertically oriented)pipe 120, both of which are held together with, for example, a bolt 130and nut 140. An aligned aperture extends through the pipes 110, 120. Intheir initial constructed alignment, each pipe is optimally at a 90°angle relative to each other. However, as indicated above, due to, asbut one reason, the lack of surface area between the contacting surfacesof the respective pipe sections, pipes 110, 120 tend to twist of theiroptimal 90° alignment, resulting in a reduction in the integrity andstrength (along with the shape itself) of the structure. The presentinvention thus reduces and/or eliminates this deficiency.

Reference is thus made first and generally to FIGS. 2 and 3, which arerespective perspective and cross-sectional views of an intercoupledpiping assembly, generally indicated at 10, constructed in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention,intercoupled piping assembly (“assembly”) 10 comprises a first elongatedpipe 20 having an aperture 22 extending therethrough from a first sidesurface 24 to an opposite side surface 26 in a direction (“v”)orthogonal to its direction of elongation (“w”) and a second elongatedpipe 30 having an aperture 32 extending therethrough from a first sidesurface 34 to an opposite side surface 36 in a direction (“x”)orthogonal to its direction of elongation (“y”). By “directionorthogonal to its direction of elongation, it is intended only toexplain descriptively that the aperture through the diameter of thepipes and not along the entire elongated length of the pipes.

Continuing, assembly 10 also comprises a coupler, generally indicated at50 and more specifically illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, for couplingfirst elongated pipe 20 to second elongated pipe 30. In a preferredembodiment, coupler 50 comprises a first recess 52 for receiving aportion (p₁) of first elongated pipe 20, a second recess 54 orthogonallyoriented relative to first recess 52 for receiving a portion (p₂) ofsecond elongated pipe 30, wherein when first elongated pipe 20 ispositioned in first recess 52 and second elongated pipe 30 is positionedin second recess 54, first elongated pipe 20 is orthogonally positionedrelative to second elongated pipe 30 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Coupler50 also comprises an aperture 56 that extends through a rear surface 53of first recess 52 to a rear surface 55 of second recess 54.

Lastly, intercoupled piping assembly 10 comprises a securing assembly,generally indicated at 70. In a preferred embodiment, securing assembly70 comprises an elongated member 75 that extends through aperture 22 infirst elongated pipe 20, through aperture 56 in coupler 50 and throughaperture 32 in second elongated pipe 30, and a securing member 80 forensuring first elongated pipe 20, second elongated pipe 30 and coupler50 remain coupled together by at least in part elongated member 75. By“at least in part” it is understood that other securing or adheringmeans, such as adhesive or the like, may additionally be used inconjunction with elongated member 75. In this way, first and secondelongated pipes 20, 30 are intercoupleable via coupler 50 and areresisted from shifting from their orthogonal alignment due to theirrespective coupling to coupler 50.

In a specific embodiment, elongated member 75 is a bolt with a head 76and securing member 75 is a nut that may be threadably coupled to theaccessible end 77 of elongated member 75 at side 36 of second elongatedpipe 30. Securing assembly may also include washers as would beappreciated by those skilled in the art.

To ensure clarity of the preferred construction of assembly 10, itshould be clear that in a preferred embodiment, elongated member 75extends (i) from first side surface 24 and out the opposite side surface26 of first elongated pipe 20, (ii) through aperture 56 that extendsthrough rear surface 53 of first recess 52 and out rear surface 55 ofsecond recess 54 of coupler 50 and (iii) through the first side surface34 and is accessible through the aperture 32 at the opposite sidesurface 36 of the second elongated pipe 30, wherein securing member(e.g. nut) 80 is lockable to accessible end 77 of the elongated member75 at the opposite side surface 36 of the second elongated pipe 30. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, securing member 80 is releasablylockable to the accessible end 77. In this way, assembly 10 and thus theentire tubular structure can be disassembled if desired or necessary.

As a minor point, it should be recognized that elongated member 75 mayhave a head at one end (e.g. head 76), as in a more conventional bolt,or may if desired or necessary, have for example two (2) threaded endsfor some sort of securing member (e.g. another nut, etc.). In this way,with elongated member 75 having a head at the end opposite to theaccessible end thereof, the head would preferably remain outside of theaperture in the first elongated pipe when the securing member is lockedto the accessible end of the elongated member. In yet anotheralternative also covered hereby, accessible end 77 may in fact andpreferably extend out the opposite side surface 36 of second elongatedpipe 30. A sufficiently long elongated member 75 would facilitate thesecuring of (e.g.) a nut to end 77. Again, while the securing member isdeemed to be lockable to end 77 of elongated member 75, it can bereleasably lockable thereto to permit disassembly of assembly 10.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5 to illustrate coupler 50 ingreater detail. As can be seen, first recess 52 and second recess 54 areorthogonally aligned and positioned “back to back” to each other. FIGS.4 and 5 also clearly illustrate the aforementioned rear surfaces 53, 55against which the respective pipe sections p₁ and p₂ are positioned whenassembly 10 is constructed.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which shows an exemplary tubularstructure, generally indicated at 200, which utilizes one or more of theintercoupled piping assemblies 10. Structure 200 is preferably comprisedof tubular piping, similar in type to pipes 20 and 30. The generalconstruction and design of structure 200 is known in the art. Improvingamong other things, the strength and integrity of structure 200, are oneor more intercoupled piping assemblies 10. Fabric is then preferablyused to cover structure 200. The manner in which the fabric is used andprovided on structure 200 is known to those skilled in the art.

As would be known in the art and to the extent not dictated by functionbut rather by design constraints, combinations of metal and plasticpieces may be used for the components disclosed herein. Preferably,coupler 50 is made from plastic or die cast material. Also, while thedimensions of coupler may ultimately be dictated by designcharacteristics of the structure 200, preferably the radius (r) of eachrecess 52, 54 is ½ the distance of the diameter of the pipe 20, 30.

It can thus be seen that the present invention is advantageous andovercomes the perceived deficiencies in the prior art. For example, thepresent invention provides an improved intercoupled piping assembly thatreduces and/or eliminates “racking,” for example, and not limitation,due to higher than desirable wind for use in a tubular buildingstructure that is fabric covered. Additionally, the present inventionprovides a tubular structure that provides for an increased snow load.Moreover, in view of the preferred components and construction, it canbe seen that the present invention allows for relatively quick assemblyand disassembly, while at the same time, achieving the other objectivesset forth herein.

To this end, it can be seen that a method of constructing anintercoupled piping assembly is provided. In a preferred embodiment, themethod comprises the steps of positioning a portion of the firstelongated pipe in the first recess and positioning a portion of thesecond elongated pipe in the second recess such that the first elongatedpipe is orthogonally positioned relative to the second elongated pipe;extending the elongated member through the aperture in the firstelongated pipe, through the aperture in the coupler and through theaperture in the second elongated pipe; and securing the securing memberto an end of the elongated member to couple together the first elongatedpipe, the second elongated pipe and the coupler; whereby the first andsecond elongated pipes are intercoupleable via the coupler and areresisted from shifting from their orthogonal alignment due to theirrespective coupling to the coupler.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It should also be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the inventiondescribed herein and all statements of the scope of the invention thatas a matter of language might fall there between.

1. An intercoupled piping assembly comprising: a first elongated pipehaving an aperture extending therethrough from a first side surface toan opposite side surface in a direction orthogonal to its direction ofelongation; a second elongated pipe having an aperture extendingtherethrough from a first side surface to an opposite side surface in adirection orthogonal to its direction of elongation; a coupler forcoupling the first elongated pipe to the second elongated pipe, whereinthe coupler comprises: a first recess for receiving a portion of thefirst elongated pipe, a second recess orthogonally oriented relative tothe first recess for receiving a portion of the second elongated pipe,wherein when the first elongated pipe is positioned in the first recessand the second elongated pipe is positioned in the second recess, thefirst elongated pipe is orthogonally positioned relative to the secondelongated pipe, and an aperture that extends through a rear surface ofthe first recess to a rear surface of the second recess; and a securingassembly comprising: an elongated member that extends through theaperture in the first elongated pipe, through the aperture in thecoupler and through the aperture in the second elongated pipe; and asecuring member for ensuring the first elongated pipe, the secondelongated pipe and the coupler remain coupled together by at least inpart the elongated member; whereby the first and second elongated pipesare intercoupleable via the coupler and are resisted from shifting fromtheir orthogonal alignment due to their respective coupling to thecoupler.
 2. The intercoupled piping assembly as claimed in claim 1,wherein the elongated member of the securing assembly extends (i) fromthe first side surface and out the opposite side surface of the firstelongated pipe, (ii) through the aperture that extends through the rearsurface of the first recess and out the rear surface of the secondrecess of the coupler and (iii) through the first side surface and isaccessible through the aperture at the opposite side surface of thesecond elongated pipe; and wherein the securing member is lockable tothe accessible end of the elongated member at the opposite side surfaceof the second elongated pipe.
 3. The intercoupled piping assembly asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the securing member is releasably lockableto the accessible end of the elongated member at the opposite sidesurface of the second elongated pipe.
 4. The intercoupled pipingassembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongated member has a headat the end opposite to the accessible end thereof, and wherein the headremains outside of the aperture in the first elongated pipe when thesecuring member is locked to the accessible end of the elongated member.5. The intercoupled piping assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein theelongated member of the securing assembly extends (i) from the firstside surface and out the opposite side surface of the first elongatedpipe, (ii) through the aperture that extends through the rear surface ofthe first recess and out the rear surface of the second recess of thecoupler and (iii) through the first side surface and out the oppositeside surface of the second elongated pipe; and wherein the securingmember is lockable to the end of the elongated member that extends outthe opposite side surface of the second elongated pipe.
 6. Theintercoupled piping assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the securingmember is releasably lockable to the end of the elongated member thatextends out the opposite side surface of the second elongated pipe.
 7. Atubular building structure comprising: a plurality of elongated pipescoupled together to form a coverable structure; wherein at least two ofthe elongated pipes form part of an intercoupled piping assembly asclaimed in claim
 1. 8. A method of constructing an intercoupled pipingassembly, wherein the assembly comprises a first elongated pipe havingan aperture extending therethrough from a first side surface to anopposite side surface in a direction orthogonal to its direction ofelongation, a second elongated pipe having an aperture extendingtherethrough from a first side surface to an opposite side surface in adirection orthogonal to its direction of elongation, a coupler forcoupling the first elongated pipe to the second elongated pipe, whereinthe coupler comprises a first recess for receiving a portion of thefirst elongated pipe, a second recess orthogonally oriented relative tothe first recess for receiving a portion of the second elongated pipe,and an aperture that extends through a rear surface of the first recessto a rear surface of the second recess; and a securing assemblycomprising an elongated member and a securing member for ensuring thefirst elongated pipe, the second elongated pipe and the coupler remaincoupled together by at least in part the elongated member, wherein themethod comprises the steps of: positioning a portion of the firstelongated pipe in the first recess and positioning a portion of thesecond elongated pipe in the second recess such that the first elongatedpipe is orthogonally positioned relative to the second elongated pipe;extending the elongated member through the aperture in the firstelongated pipe, through the aperture in the coupler and through theaperture in the second elongated pipe; and securing the securing memberto an end of the elongated member to couple together the first elongatedpipe, the second elongated pipe and the coupler; whereby the first andsecond elongated pipes are intercoupleable via the coupler and areresisted from shifting from their orthogonal alignment due to theirrespective coupling to the coupler.
 9. The method of constructing anintercoupled piping assembly as claimed in claim 8, including the stepsof extending the elongated member of the securing assembly (i) from thefirst side surface and out the opposite side surface of the firstelongated pipe, (ii) through the aperture that extends through the rearsurface of the first recess and out the rear surface of the secondrecess of the coupler and (iii) through the first side surface and isaccessible through the aperture at the opposite side surface of thesecond elongated pipe; and securing the securing member to theaccessible end of the elongated member at the opposite side surface ofthe second elongated pipe.